Fated: Alphas of the Compass

Chapter Five - A New Challenge

All four alphas sit in the living room of the pack house, their attention on the king. Sort of. They listen to the king's words, but their eyes are focused on me. I find myself blushing, and it doesn't escape anyone's notice. Finally, the king had enough.

"For Nocht's sake, what is so gods damned captivating about that priestess?!" he demands as he reaches for me. All four alphas let out a low growl of warning and jump up from their seats. He looks at me in alarm, then yanks me towards him and rolls up my sleeve. Seeing the tattoos covering it, he rolls the other sleeve, seeing it covered, too. "Don't tell me this priestess is mated to all four of you," he snarls out, and they growl once again.

Cedar and Tea — actually Ronyn and Emron — step forward, each putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me out of the king's reach. He snarls at them, but lets them pull me away. I sit next to Erylis and Ellyana on a couch not quite out of his reach, but a more comfortable distance away. "The goddess has given you all a weak mate. No female with a strong wolf would ever fall low enough to become a priestess." He glares at me, and his Luna puts a hand on his arm as a warning. Even in the beginning stages of the mating bond, male mates are very territorial and protective of their female counterparts. If he insulted me, and them by association, he may risk starting a pack war: one he would never win.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, calming himself before continuing. "But, she must have some sort of plan if she has given her to four of you. Though, all of you must know this isn't natural." The males look at each other warily, but don't disagree.

When no one responds, Erylis steps forward. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, not even a high priestess can truly know the will of Lumina and Nocht," she says, bowing her head to the king to show that she means no disrespect by speaking out of turn. "All we may do is guess at their purpose. I have discussed this phenomenon with a few trusted priestesses, and we have agreed that perhaps the deities desired unity between the packs. It has been some time since we have all been united in such a way." The king stares at her for a moment, taken aback by the confidence in her words. No priestess would dare to speak to the king out of turn, let alone with such surety.

Ellyana and I nod, and the four alphas look at her with a new respect, though the king does not look pleased. He takes a moment and responds, "Very well then. You at least know that she will have to reject at least two of you, if not three. You can not be passing your packs' Luna around from pack to pack like a toy."

The prince finally pipes up. "Sir, I believe we may salvage this strange turn of events. We could add another facet to the competition. Within the next six moon cycles, we will hold the competition to become the next Alpha King, and we could make it a competition for the hand of.... this priestess, as well." He doesn't even try to think of my name, even though I've been a priestess for years, and he had to welcome me into the Moonlit Temple himself. I force my face to remain placid, having to hold myself back from rolling my eyes at the barbed remark, but my mates don't miss the derision in the prince's voice.

The king turns to my mates, "Would that be a satisfactory compromise? You will spend time with this priestess, each showing yourselves as the best candidate while you go from pack to pack for the competition, and she will choose her true mate at the end. Her decision will not, however, affect who will be crowned the next Alpha King." He looks at each one in turn, raising an eyebrow and daring them to disagree. He does not, however, ask what I think, but thankfully his idea is actually quite good.

They each nod, mulling over the idea. Emron looks at the king for a moment before looking to his fellow alphas. "It isn't a bad idea. We travel from pack to pack for the challenge anyways. What do you think, Stella?" he asks, looking at me with sincerity. He actually wants my opinion. I think over the idea. It really isn't bad. I would be able to get to know the packs and their systems, letting me fall in love with the leader and the place I would be living.

I take a breath and face the king. "I do think it is a good idea, but I would like to make a suggestion, if you don't mind, Your Majesty." He looks at me with surprise, but gives a nod for me to continue. "If I am going to get to know these males, I'll have to spend a good amount of time with them. I would like to have a day with each of them, on a rotation, to ensure none get more time than the others," I say, looking from the king to the alphas nervously. "I would also like to request that my friends, Erylis and Ellyana, join me."

The king raises his eyebrows and looks to his Luna. She gives me a small smile, then nods to her mate. "I think it would be terribly lonely to go on a trip from pack to pack without your closest friends. It's an adventure, but a scary one when you're alone in a brand new place. Tell me, Stella," she says, and I smile at her use of my name. Besides my friends and the alphas, she's the only one who's remembered. "Have you always been here in the Sacred City, or were you from another pack?"

I look down at my hands, knowing that my shame is going to be out in front of the royals in a moment. "I'm from the Aurora Pack. My father dumped me on the steps of the temple after my 18th name day." She draws in a breath, and I know she realizes what that means. She reaches out a hand and takes mine, squeezing gently. I look up, and the female has nothing but kindness on her face.

"You may be wolfless, dear, but you still matter. You were fated to four powerful alphas. Lumina must have a plan for you." She squeezes my hand one last time before sitting back. The princess nods a long, giving me a kind smile as well. Everyone else stares at the Luna, open mouthed. Whenever the king is out, she usually sits back and stays quiet, seen but not heard. To hear her take such an adamant stance, and with a priestess, no less, is a huge moment.

I look around to see what the reception will be. Emron and Elias, along with my two friends beside me, are nodding along, agreeing with the Luna. Luka and the prince, Indrik, look shocked, while Ronyn looks almost ashamed. The king clears his throat, obviously not sure how to proceed after his mate's declaration. "I'm sure we can make arrangements, if the alphas allow your... friends to join you." He sneers at all three of us, then stands. "You three will spend one moon cycle here in the pack house, while you get to know the alphas as they learn what the challenges will hold for them, then you will travel the packs. My mate and the princess, if they wish, may teach you how to be a Luna. Nocht knows how much training you will need." He rolls his eyes to the ceiling and gets ready to leave. The Luna and princess give me small smiles as they all rise and turn to leave. Obviously, we are all dismissed.

Before the princess is out the door, she turns back for a moment. "I was like you, once. Arissa was too. We would both be more than happy to help, if we can." She then turns and walks away.

Touched, I wait for the royals to leave before we all giving a collective sigh. I slouch and lean into Erylis, not knowing how to process everything that's happened in this meeting. One of my mates clears his throat, and I look up to see everyone looking at me. Ellyana finally breaks the silence, "Well, I suppose we'll have to get our things packed and moved to the pack house for the time being. Thankfully, the Opal and Ivory rooms are empty." She smiles, squeezing my hand and getting ready to stand before quirking an eyebrow at my mates. "Erylis and I can get things packed while you show these... gentlemen where they'll be staying. Right, Lis?"

Erylis nods and stands, giving my hand one last squeeze before they leave. I watch as they go, and they both turn to give me a wink. I swear those females will be the death of me...

Emron smiles at me as he stands, and so does Ronyn, but one is definitely more comforting than the other. I resist the urge to shiver. I can't decide if it's terrifying or a thrill when I see that predatory spark in Ronyn's gaze. Maybe it's both. And maybe that isn't such a bad thing.